GemLand brings you Arizona geology, Arizona stargazing, Gemological Services, jewelry, and Archaeology.
Geology of Phoenix, Scottsdale tours, Sedona tours, Arizona hikes, Arizona Gemstones and meteorites, Sky Jewels (TM) stargazing, and more are yours with GemLand.
GemLand -- Arizona geology tours, Arizona stargazing with Sky Jewels(tm), the best in scenic resorts, Arizona Peridot, Four Peaks Amethyst, Native American jewelry, meteorites, and more!

 
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Tour the Valley of the Sun and its GeoScenery.
Take a virtual tour of the Superstition Mountains, near Phoenix, Apache Junction, and Gold Canyon, Arizona.
Take a virtual tour of Sedona, Flagstaff, Jerome, and the Verde Valley areas, in Arizona.

 
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Back to GemLand Home Page -- Gemology, Geology, and Stargazing.
About GemLand -- Arizona Geology Tours, Sky Jewels Stargazing, Gemological Services.
Rock Gardens, Rock Art, Petroglyphs, and Rock Sculpture in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix, and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Geological History of The Valley of the Sun and the Superstition Mountains, Arizona.
GeoStories includes geologically, archaeologically, and astronomically inspired articles and stories by Richard Allen, and other recommended reading about the Valley of the Sun and other places in the American West.
Arizona Geology and Geology Tours by GemLand, formerly Gem-Land Adventures.
GemLand presents a variety of things pertaining to rocks -- gemological, geological, and astronomical. Movies, hikes, oddities, links to other sites, and more.
Arizona Astronomy, Arizona Stargazing, Telescopes, Sky Jewels (tm) Stargazing by GemLand.

 
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GemLand -- Phoenix tours, Scottsdale, Arizona geology, gemological services, Four Peaks Amethyst, Arizona Peridot, Sky Jewels (R), Arizona stargazing, Navajo jewelry.
Arizona's Gems

   Arizona is America's leading gem mining state, and those displayed in our logo above -- Peridot, Amethyst, Turquoise, and Garnet -- are found here in vivid, natural colors that come alive in the brilliant sunshine of the Southwest.

PLEASE NOTE -- we do not offer gem collecting or digging tours, or offer any information about collecting locations.



 


Peridot

Peridot mines near the Apache town of San Carlos, Arizona.
  

   The mines on Peridot Mesa, near the Apache town of San Carlos are among the largest deposits in the world of this bright green gem.
   Not often seen in Arizona jewelry stores, peridot is a natural, untreated gem, and is richly complemented by High Karat Yellow Gold.

Peridot crystals at Peridot Mesa, near Globe, Arizona -- approximately life size.
Olivine crystals at Peridot Mesa,
approximately life size.

Want the story on
Arizona Peridot?
Read this GeoStory(TM):

"Green Zone"

"Eighty percent of success
is just showing up."
So said Woody Allen, no relation to me.  And I was glad I did -- show up, that is.

 
  Here crystals of are found inside hardened "bubbles" in a volcanic ash flow that erupted violently during the  period. 
  Now, millions of years later, the area is home to some of the descendants of the legendary and fearsome Apache shaman and leader Geronimo.
  This mineral, which geologists call olivine, is found in the  of the Earth, as well as in interstellar space.
  It has been known since ancient times, and has been called the "gemstone of the sun".

 


Amethyst

  Below is a very nicely cut  from the Four Peaks Mine near Phoenix.  Amethyst is another gem valued since ancient times, and displays a vivid purple color.
  In the case of Four Peaks Amethyst, the color is described as "Siberian", meaning that it has a reddish hue, and therefore of the world's top quality grade.
  Four Peaks (below) can be seen from most of the Phoenix area on a clear day. The mine is located between the third and fourth peaks, from the left.
  Crystals of amethyst occur in extremely old  rock.  They are mined by hand, and transported to the city by helicopter for cutting.

Four Peaks, near Phoenix, Arizona-- source of Arizona's vivid amethyst.
Four Peaks, near Phoenix, Arizona.

Want the story on
Four Peaks Amethyst?
Read this GeoStory(TM):

"Pendants Big and Small"

Arizona's Four Peaks
is geology upside down.
And you can even wear a piece of it!

 
 
 We think that part of the appeal in possessing a stone object is its connection to a particular place.  This is especially true of precious gems.
  When you are wearing a Four Peaks Amethyst, you are wearing a little piece of the mountain with which all Phoenicians are familiar!

An expertly cut example of Four Peaks Amethyst.

 

 
Turquoise

Turquoise is now produced as a by-product of giant copper mining operations like the one at right, in eastern Arizona.
When a pocket of the bright blue mineral is uncovered, the turquoise-rich stones are extracted by hand, and many are cut locally.

Turquoise is mined as a by-product at large copper mines like this one near Clifton, Arizona.
Some of the world's finest
turquoise comes from Arizona.

Want the story on Turquoise in the Southwest?
Read this GeoStory(TM):

"She of the Jade Skirt"
(aka "The Turquoise Traders")

Ruins at Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.
An unassuming mountain now in New Mexico let loose one of the great treasure hunts of all time.  It's one of those places you could drive by every day, and never know that.
 

 

  The treasure was carried far and wide, and those who did the carrying were a mysterious bunch.  Who knows how distant, or why it all ended?

Ancient turquoise tesserae-style jewelry, from Arizona. 
  Couple that with a little village in the right location, and the result can have a big impact on the world.

 

 
Garnet

Trillion shaped Arizona "anthill" Garnet.

   Arizona Garnets are exquisitely deep red in color, and come from one of the most photographed places on Earth.

Want the
story on
Arizona Garnets?
Read this GeoStory(TM):

"Simple Mines"

It could hardly be
easier to get at these
gemstones.
It just takes a small army.

Volcanic spires are among the scenery in beautful Monument Valley, in the Navajo Nation.
Volcanic spires in
Monument Valley, Arizona.

 

 


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